Game of the week matchup: Sickles vs. Hillsborough

Game of the Week

Sickles (4-1, 1-1) at Hillsborough (5-1, 3-0)

When: Tonight, 7:30; Where: Chelo Huerta Field, Tampa

AT STAKE

A win for the Gryphons and their postseason lifeline in the tough Class 6A-District 8 is extended. A loss, and Sickles' playoff aspirations will disappear. A loss by Hillsborough would set up an intriguing district tie. A Terriers victory all but assures them of a postseason spot and next week's game against Armwood would likely determine the district champion. A Hillsborough win would also give head coach Earl Garcia career No. 200, the second most of any public school coach in Hillsborough County history.

KEY STAT

Sickles: The Gryphons are equipped to take what an opponent gives them, but they've made sure to establish the run first and foremost. Sickles is averaging 215.6 yards rushing per game. Its lowest output came last week against a tough Armwood defense that has stifled every team it has played. In that game, the Hawks gave up just 95 yards to the Gryphons. Meanwhile, of the 62 passes thrown this season by Sickles, only two have been picked off.

Hillsborough: In their lone loss of the season (36-6 to Plant), the Terriers turned the ball over four times. Since then, in four consecutive victories, Hillsborough has turned the ball over just once – a fumble in the Terriers' 51-13 win over Leto.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Sickles: Sickles receiver Bilal Salat can be a game breaker. Sickles is a run-first team, but after a defense begins focusing on the run, the gryphons hit on big chunks of yardage through the air. The 6-foot-3, 170-pound Salat has the speed to stretch defenses and the nerve to venture into the teeth of a defense. He's corralled 16 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns.

Hillsborough: Jordan Sherit, defensive end. The 6-4, 230-pound Sherit is a menace coming off the edge. He leads the Terriers in tackles, 47, including a season-high 11 against Plant, and in sacks 9three). The junior also has his hands in on offense with three receptions for 42 yards and one touchdown.

KEY MATCHUPS

When Sickles Has The Ball: QB Nate Mills has proven to be an invaluable addition to the Gryphons offense. The junior, who transferred from Alonso, has connected on 31-of-67 passes for 510 yards, six TDs and two interceptions. He's also run for a score. More importantly, Mills is a caretaker of the offense. The Gryphons have pounded opponents with RBs LaDondra Crittenden and Yhaquille Grant and FB Jared O'Donoghue, but when the time comes, Mills has consistently beaten defenders with his arm, while limiting his mistakes.

When Hillsborough Has The Ball: The Terriers have a one-two punch on the ground with senior running back Anthony Brown (518 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns) and junior Jeremiah Green (264 rushing yards, six touchdowns). In Hillsborough's five victories, the duo has helped the offense average 204 rushing yards a game. Senior quarterback Jeremy Agrinzonis (645 yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions) has proven he can move the ball and keeps defenses honest, forcing them to respect the passing game. Leading receiver Evan Jennings (225 yards, four touchdowns) is Agrinzonis' go-to guy.

QUAOTEABLE

"I think it's going to be very intense because I think both teams realize a loss here is going to make the playoffs a little bit tougher. …If we lose, we don't control our destiny, we're going to be relying on somebody to beat somebody. The loser of this could be on the outside looking in, so it's going to be very intense."

Sickles coach Brian Turner

"As best as we can see, we'd have to really mess it up if we win this one to not make it to the playoffs. We still have Armwood and King and we're not looking for second place. We want to win them all. I think we have a chance to win them all if we stay healthy. It's a big game for us. The game itself supersedes the 200 (career victory).''

Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia